Automatic feeding device



Nov. 6, 1945. L. F. GLAUDE AUTOMATIC FEEDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 18, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 6, 1945. 1.. F. GLAUDE AUTOMATIC FEEDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 18, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ffZ/BIZ to 7" I ieo zyazd FGZaaae Patented Nov. 6, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC FEEDING DEVICE Leopold EGhude, Chlcilo, lll. Application December 18, 1944, Serial No. 568,697

20 Claims.

The present invention relates to a device for automatically feeding mechanical elements in a given order.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a novel device for feeding mechanical elements, such as hollow nut caps or nut locks, or the like, with a given orientation, from a rotary hopper and along a chute, comprising means for freeing the elements only when they have taken a given relation or position whereby the elements may proceed along the chute in a line and all in the same position, or in common symmetry, or uniform correspondence.

Other objects, advantages, capabilities, features and the like are comprehended by the invention as will later appear and as are inherently possessed by the invention.

Referring briefly to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation with part in broken section of a device constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary part sectional and part elevational view, on an enlarged scale, of the same; 1

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken in a plane represented by line 3-3 in Fig. 1 of the drawings;

Fig. 4 is an upper plan view of the device with part broken away;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary part sectional and part elevational view taken in a plane represented by line 5-5 in Fig. 2 of the drawings;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary part sectional and part plan view taken in a plane represented by line 8-6 in Figs. 2 and 5 of the drawings;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in a plane represented by line 1-1 in Fig. 5 of the drawings;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in a plane represented by line 89 in Fig. 2 of the drawings; and

Fig. 9 is a group view in plan, elevation and section of the elements handled by the invention.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the embodiment chosen to illustrate the invention is shown as having a support I, such as a bench or the like, on which is mounted and secured a supporting bracket 2 as by way of screws 3. The bracket has an inclined limb 4 which may be of channel shape as shown. Upon this limb I is mounted a cylindrical shell 5 having a bottom 6 through which, and also through the limb I, are securing screws 1 threaded into a: bearing plate 8 for holding the shell 5 fast with the limb I.

Within the shell 8 is a rotatable hopper base or member 9. On the limb i is a saddle piece it for spanning the open side of the limb t and this piece It as also the limb 4, bottom 6, plate 8 and the base 9 are provided with aligned openings for the extension therethrough of a shaft H on which is keyed or otherwise fixed a ratchet wheel I; having a hub i3 in bearing thrust with the saddle it, also on which is rotatably mounted a pawl lever or arm l4 carrying a pivoted pawl i5 adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel, and a thrust collar 16 suitably secured to the end of the shaft Ii. The inner end of the shaft II is of any suitable form to lock with the base 9 and has a threaded end I! for receiving a thrust nut ill. The lever I4 is suitably operatively connected to any reciprocating part of a machine (not shown) for intermittent turning or rotating of the'base 9 by way of the pawl i5, ratchet l2, shaft II and base 9.

At a low point of the side wall of the shell 5 is provided a gate l9 (see Figs. 2 and 8) having pressed-out curved sides 20 for receiving the upper end 2i of a chute 22. This chute 22 is channel shaped in cross section, as shown in Fig. 3, and preferably has overhanging flanges 23 to prevent the upward and outward movement of the elements fed down the chute 22, as by a buckling of the line of such elements in the chute. The chute 22 is secured at its upper end portion to the limb 4 by way of a clamp device comprising-an upper clamp strap 24 having flanges 25 provided with suitable holes through which extend bolts 26 or the like connected to a cross plate or clamp piece 211 clamped to the underside of the bracket limb 4.

The rotary hopper base 9 has at its periphery a circular series of radially extending throat walls 28 within each pair of which is provided a radially extending throat for the passage of the elements being handled by the device. Each wall 28 is of generally triangular shape, as shown best in Fig. 7, with a base limb 29 extending radially inward and upon the peripheral part of the rotary hopper base 9, and with an outwardly and upwardly extending arm part 30 (see Fig. 7), and a lower heel part 3i. All these parts and the base 9 are preferably integral. This heel part 3! extends down, as shown in Fig, 7, close to the bottom 6 of the shell 5, and the radially outer edge portion of the part 28 is flared (see Fig. 6) so that certain of these may receive screws 32 for the securing thereto of an annular band-like wall 33. In each throat between each pair of walls 28 and on the base 9 is provided a tumbling threshold 34 (see Figs. 2 and 6 in particular) over which the elements being handled are caused to roll or tumble as later explained. These parts 34 are also preferably integral with the base 8 and the sides 28.

In the radially outer part of each throat is a turning key 35 which has a body 28 secured to the annular wall 33 near its upper end as by way of a bolt or screw 31 connected to the wall 33 and threaded to receive a binding nut 38 and a lock washer 38. The body 38 is preferably provided with an elongated slot 40 to aflord upward and downward adjustment of the key 35. At the lower end of the key body 38 is provided a turning tongue 4| more or less rounded, and nearly of ball shape, and connected to the body 36 by way of a neck portion 42.

At the upper end of the hopper is a cover plate 43 having a large central hole 44 through which the operator's hand may be easily introduced. Near the periphery of the plate 43 may be any number of depending lugs 45 (four of these being shown in Fig. 4 by way of illustration) which lugs may be integral with the cover plate 43. At the upper end portion of the wall 3! extend posts 46 (preferably integral with the wall 33) and these posts 46, as also the lugs 45, are provided with holes for the passing therethrough of securing screws 48. The said holes in either the lugs 45 or the posts 46 may be elongated, if desired, as shown in Fig. 7, for affording adjustment of the top plate 43 and ,the wall 38.

A form of element that is preferably handled by the invention is shown in Fig. 9 and generally designated by the reference character. 49. It is hollow and has sides 50 corresponding to the sides of the nut it is to receive; the illustrative form having six sides to fit with a six-sided nut. At one end it is open or in the form of an open skirt 5i and at the other end it has a flanged head part having an opening 52. Notches 53 may be provided in the skirt end as shown.

In operation, a number of the elements 49 are thrown into the hopper and as the parts 9, 28, 3 35 and 43 rotate the elements 49 are tumbled about to roll down to the throat or throats in lowermost position (see Fig. 2) and when an element moves in the throat with its open skirted end toward or to the turningtongue 4i the latter enters such open end so that the head part 52 will slide off the peripheral part of the base 9 at the radially outer end of the throat whereby the head 52 of the element 49 will seat or sit on the peripheral part of the bottom 6 and be pushed there along until it comes opposite the entry or gate l9 to the chute 22, and then will slide down the chute 22, as seen in Fig. 2. If the element 49 presents itself in any other position it cannot pass and will be carried up by the rotating base, etc. to be again tumbled. The side walls 28 of the throat and the thresholds 34 also aid in turning and directing the elements 49 with their open ends toward and to the tumin tongues 4|. 5

While I have herein described and upon th drawings shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but comprises other constructions, advantages, arrangements of parts, features and the like without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. In a feeding device of the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said openin and a rotating hopper in the shell and having peripheral throats movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element turning keys in said throats for receiving the open end portions of the elements tumbled about in the hopper and to guide the elements into a given position for the elements to move in said position through said opening and to said chute.

2. In a feeding device of the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said opening, and a rotating hopper in the shell, and having peripheral throats movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element turning keys in said throats for receiving the open end portions of the elements tumbled about in the hopper and to guide the elements into a given position for the elements to move in said position through said opening and to said chute, said throats having side walls extending radially of said hopper, an annular member connected to said walls, and means for connecting said keys to said annular member.

3. In a feeding device of the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said opening, and a rotating hopper in the shell and having peripheral throats movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element turning keys in said throats for receiving the open end portions of the elements tumbled about in the hopper and to guide the elements into a given position for the elements to move in said position through said opening and to said chute, said throats having side walls extending radially of said hopper, an annular member connected to said walls, and means for connecting said keys to said annular member, said latter means having relatively adjustable parts for adjusting the relationship of the keys in said throats.

4. In a feeding device of the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said opening, and a rotating hopper in the shell and having peripheral throats movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element turning keys in said throats for receiving the open end portions of the elements tumbled about in the hopper and to guide the elements into a given position for the elements to move in said position through said opening and to said chute, said throats having side walls extending radially of said hopper, an annular member connected to said walls, said keys having body portions extending to said annular member, and having turning tongues extending into said throats,

and means for connecting said body portions of I said keys to said annular member.

5. In a feeding device of the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said opening, and a rotary hopper in the shell and having peripheral throats movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element turning keys in said throats for receiving the open end portions of the elements tumbled about in the hopper and to guide the elements into a given position for the elements to move in said position through said opening and to said chute, said throats having side walls extending radially of said hopper, an annular member connected to said walls, said keys having body portions extending to said annular member, and having turning tongues extending into said throats, and means for connecting said body portions of said keys to said annular member, said tongues having rounded tip portions and neck portions connected to said rounded tip portions and to said body portions.

6. In a feeding device of the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said opening, and a rotating hopperlin the shell and having peripheral throats movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element turning keys in said throats for receiving the open end portions of the elements tumbled about in the hopper and to guide the elements into a given position for the elements to move in said position through said opening and to said chute, said throats having side walls extending radially of said hopper, an annular member connected to said walls, said keys having body portions extending to said annular member, and having turning tongues extending into said throats, and means for connecting said body portions of said keys to said annular member, said tongues having rounded tip portions and neck portions connected to said rounded tip portions and to said body portions, said connecting means having relatively adjustable parts for adjusting the relationship of the keys in said throats.

7. In a feeding device of the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said opening, and a rotating hopper in the shell, and having peripheral throats movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element turning keys in said throats for receiving the open end portions of the elements tumbled about in the hopper and to guide the elements into a given position for the elements to move in said position through said opening and to said chute, said hopper having threshold parts at the entry of said throats to aid the movement of said elements to said keys.

8. In a feeding device of the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said opening, and a rotating hopper in the shell and having peripheral throats movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element turning keys in said throats for receiving the open end portions of the elements tumbled about in the hopper and to guide the elements into a given position for the elements to move in said position through said opening and to said chute, said throats having side walls extending radially of said hopper, an annular member connected to said walls, and means for connecting said keys to said annular member, a top member for said hopper and having means for connecting said top member to said annular member.

9. In a feeding device of the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said opening, and a rotary hopper in the shell and having peripheral throats movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element turning keys in said throats for receiving the open end portions of the elements tumbled about in the hopper and to guide the elements into a given position for the elements to move in said position through said opening and to said chute, said throats having side walls extending radially of said hopper, an annular member connected to said walls, and means for connecting said keys to said annular member, a top member for said hopper and having means for connecting said top member to said annular member. said latter connecting means having lugs carried by said top member, and securing elements for securing said lugs to said annular member.

10. In a feeding device of the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said opening, and a rotating hopper in the shell and having peripheral throats movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element turning keys in said throats for receiving the open end portions of the elements tumbled about in the hopper and to guide the elements into a given position for the elements to move in said position through said opening and to said chute, said throats having side walls extending radially of said hopper, an annular member connected to said walls, and means for connecting said keys to said annular member, a top member for said hopper and having means for connecting said top member to said annular member, said latter connecting means having lugs carried by said top member, said annular member having projections for connection with said lugs, and securing elements for securing said lugs to said projections.

11. In a feeding device of the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said opening, and a rotating hopper in the shell and having peripheral throats movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element turning keys in said throats for receiving the open end portions of the elements tumbled about in the hopper and to guide the elements into a given position for the elements to move in said position through said opening and to said chute, said throats having side walls extending radially of said hopper, an annular member connected to said walls, and means for connecting said keys to said annular member, a top member for said hopper and having means for connecting said top member to said annular member, said latter connecting means having lugs carried by said top member, said annular member having projections for connection with said lugs, and securing elements for securing said lugs to said projections, said projections being provided with slots to afford relative adjustment of said projections and said lugs, said securing elements extending through said slots.

12. In a feeding device of the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said opening, and a rotating hopper in the shell and having a circular base and provided with throats at the peripheral portion of said base and which throats are movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element turning keys in said throats for receiving the open end portions of the elements tumbled about in the hopper and to guide the elements into a given position for the elements to move in said position through said'opening and to said chute.

13. In a feeding device of the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said opening, and a rotating hopper in the shell and having a circular base and provided with throats at the peripheral portion of said base and which throats are movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element turning keys in said throats for receiving the open-end portions of the elements tumbled about in the hopper and to guide the elements into a given position for the elements to move in said position through said opening and to said chute, said throats having side walls extending radially of and from said base, an annular member connectedto said walls, and means for connecting said keys to said annular member.

14. In a feeding device of the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said opening, and a rotating hopper in the shell and having a circular base and provided with throats at the peripheral portion of said base and which throats are movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element turning keys in said throats for receiving the open-end portions of the elements tumbled about in the hopper and to guide the elements into a given position for the elements to move in said position through said opening and to said chute, said throats having side walls extending radially of and from said base, an annular member connected to said walls, and means for connecting said keys to said annular member, said side walls having heels extending below said base.

15. In a feeding device of the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said opening, and a rotating hopper in the shell and having a circular base and provided with throats at the peripheral portion of said base and which throats are movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element turning keys in said throats for receiving the open-end portions of the elements tumbled about in the hopper and to guide the elements into a said throats having side walls extending radially of and from said base, an annular member connected to said walls, and means for connecting said keys to said annular member, said side walls having heels extending below said base, said keys having body portions extending to said annular member, and having turning tongues extending into said throats, and means for connecting said body portions of said keys to said annular member. said tongues having rounded tip portions and neck portions connected to said rounded tip portions and to said body portions.

17. In a feeding device 01' the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said opening, and a rotating hopper in the shell and having a circular base and provided with throats at the peripheral portion of said base and which throats are movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element turning keys in said throats for receiving the open-end portions 01 the elements tumbled about in the hopper and to guide the elements into a given position for the elements to move in said position through said opening and to said chute, said throats having side walls extending radially of and from said base, an annular member connected to said walls, and means for connecting said keys to said annular member, said side walls having heels extending below said base, said keys having body portions extending to said annular member, and having turning tongues extending into said throats, and means for connecting said body portions of said keys to said annular member, said tongues having rounded tip portions and neck portions connected to said rounded tip portions and to said body portions, said connecting means having relatively adjustable parts for adjusting the relationship of the keys in said given position for the elements to move in said position through said opening and to said chute, said throats having side walls extending radially of and from said base, an annular member connected to said walls, and means for connecting said keys to said annular member, said side walls having heels extending below said base, said keys having body portions extending to said annular member, and having turning tongues extending into said throats, and means for connecting said body portions of said keys to said annular member.

16. In a feeding device of the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said opening, and a rotating hopper in the shell and having a circular base and provided with throats at the peripheral portion of said base and which throats are movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element turning keys in said throats for receiving the open end portions of the elements tumbled about in the hopper and to guide the elements into a given position for the elements to move in said position through said opening and to said chute,

throats.

18. In a feeding device of the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said opening, and a rotating hopper in the shell and having a circular base and provided with throats at the peripheral portion of said base and which throats are movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element turning keys in said throats for receiving the open-end portions of the elements tumbled about in the hopper and to guide the elements into a given position for the elements to move in said position through said opening and to said chute, said throats having side walls extending radially of and from said base, an annular member connected to said walls, and means for connecting said keys to said annular member, said base having threshold parts at the entry of said throats 112:0 aid the movement of said elements to said eys.

19. In a feeding device of the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said opening, and a rotating hopper in the shell and having a circular base and provided with throats at the peripheral portion of said base and which throats are movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element turning keys in said throats for receiving the open-end portions of the elements tumbled about in the hopper and to guide the elements into a given position for the elements to move in said position through said opening and to said chute, said peripheral portion of said base in each of said throats being curved radially inwardly to assist the movement of said elements to said penin 20. In a feeding device of the character disclosed for feeding hollow open-ended elements and which device has a shell provided with an outlet opening, a chute with its receiving end at said opening, and a rotating hopper in the shell and having a circular base and provided with throats at the peripheral portion of said base and which throats are movable past said opening; comprising in combination therewith element LEOPOLD F. GLAUDE. 

